Commandant
2100 Second Street, S. W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
(202) 267-0406
COMDTINST 16672.3A
10 MAY 1989
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16672.3A
Subj:
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS); Lights
for Unmanned Barges
1.
PURPOSE. The purpose of this Instruction is to permit battery powered navigation lights to
be used on unmanned barges.
2.
DIRECTIVES EFFECTED. COMDTINST 16672.3 is cancelled.
3.
DISCUSSION.
a.
Many unmanned barges do not routinely operate machinery to generate electricity when
they are underway. As a result they must use battery powered navigation lights.
b.
The Coast Guard has determined that at the present time there are no available battery
powered navigation lights which can reasonably meet the vertical sector require- ments
contained in Section 10 of Annex T to the 72 COLREGS.
c.
Rule 24(h) of the 72 COLREGS states that "Where from any sufficient cause it is
impracticable for a vessel or object being towed to exhibit the lights or shapes
prescribed in paragraph (e) or (g) of this Rule, all possible measures shall be taken to
light the vessel or object towed or at least to indicate the presence of such vessel or
object." The lack of any practical battery powered lights capable of meeting the vertical
sector requirements of the 72 COLREGS is, in the opinion of the Coast Guard,
"sufficient cause" as the term is used in Rule 24(h).